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Motion Picture and Television

Flight Operation Manual

Sean P. Payne

2426 Ontario Road NW

APT 306

Washington, DC 20009

973-583-2793

Airplanedectective@gmail.com
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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

A. Purpose E-4

B. Pilot/Operator Organization E-4

C. Persons Authorized E-4

D. Area of Operations E-4

E. Plan of Activities E-4

F. Permission to Operate E-5

G. Security E-6

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel E-6

I. Communications E-6

J. Accident Notification E-7

K. Recall/Stop Procedures E-7

L. Special Provisions E-7

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot E-7

B. Pilot in Command E-8

Appendix A

1 List of Approved Pilots E-9

2 List of Approved sUAS E-9

3 Permission Acquisition Form (sample) E-10
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Revision Control Page

Revision# Date Initials
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1. Introduction

A. Purpose

This manual has been developed by Sean P. Payne, hereafter referred to as "the petitioner", in 

conjunction with an application for a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization of the provisions of 

discussed in the petitioner’s petition for the purposes of filming. The petitioner will comply with 

the policies, procedures and conditions of this manual, whenever motion picture or television 

flight operations are performed that require a Waiver of Authorization as mentioned above.

B. Pilot/Operator Organization

Sean P. Payne

2426 Ontario Road NW

APT 306

Washington, DC 20009

973-583-2793

Airplanedectective@gmail.com

C. Persons Authorized

FAR 91.119 (c) is waived only with respect to those persons, vehicles and structures directly 

involved in the performance of the actual filming. The certificate holder shall ensure that no 

persons are allowed within 500 feet of the area except those consenting to be involved and 

necessary for the filming production. This provision may be reduced to no less than 200 feet if an 

equivalent level of safety can be achieved and the Administrator has approved it. For example, an 

equivalent level of safety may be determined by an ASI’s evaluation of the filming

production area to note terrain features, obstructions, buildings, etc. Such barriers may protect 

nonparticipating persons (observers, the public, news media, etc.) from debris in the event of an 

accident.

D. Area of Operations

The approved area of operations will be the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

E. Plan of Activities

At least three (3) days prior to any scheduled filming, the petitioner will submit a written plan of 

activities to the local FSDO having jurisdiction over that area. The plan of activities should include 

the following:
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(1) Dates and times for all flights.

(2) Name and phone number of person responsible for the filming production event.

(3) Name and phone number of person responsible for aircraft.

(4) Make, model, and serial or N-number of aircraft to be used and type of airworthiness 

certificate, including category.

(5) Name and certificate number of pilots involved in the filming production event, 

including any notation of external load endorsements or aerobatic competency, if 

required.

(6) A statement that the waiver holder has obtained permission from property owners 

and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event. The list of those who gave 

permission must be made available to the inspector upon request from the waiver 

holder.

(7) Signature of waiver holder or representative.

(8) A description of the flight activity including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, 

county, and/or State over which filming will be conducted and the minimum altitudes 

essential to accomplish the operations.

The three (3) day notification requirements may be waived, however, the operator should contact 

the FSDO as soon as possible with this request and be prepared to explain in detail why the three 

(3) day notification is not practical.

F. Permission to Operate

Before any flight operations is conducted at less than 500 feet under the provisions of the

certificate of waiver and this manual, the operator will obtain permission to conduct these 

operations from property owners and local officials as necessary or appropriate. Persons from 

whom permission may be required are listed below:

(1) Property owners

(2) Law enforcement officials

(3) Fire department officials

(4) Local, State and Federal government

(5) Air traffic control

The personnel obtaining such permission will do so in writing whenever practical, however, 

verbal permission is acceptable otherwise. A standard permission form is provided in 

Appendix A and may be used when obtaining written permission. Personnel will assure a 

sufficient number of those forms are available at the job site. Written permission forms will 

be maintained at the job site until flight operations are completed, and then turned into the 
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chief pilot to be kept on file for a minimum of six (6) months. These forms will be made 

available for inspection by the FAA or other official personnel upon request.

G. Security

Prior to any flight operation the operator will coordinate with appropriate production personnel 

to devise a plan of securing the area(s) of operation from all unauthorized persons and vehicles. 

Provisions will be made to immediately discontinue operations should the area(s) become 

unsecured or for any other reason in the interest of safety.

H. Briefing of Pilot/Production Personnel

Prior to the start of any operation under the provisions of this manual, the pilot in command will 

conduct a briefing of all procedures to participating personnel of the risks involved, emergency 

procedures, and safeguards to be followed during the filming production event. Personnel will 

also be briefed on additional provisions that may be issued by the FSDO that has geographic 

responsibility for the operational area, including the location of boundaries or time limits. The 

briefing shall cover:

• Authorization for motion picture and television certificate of waiver and 

the attached special provisions

• Operations manual

• Plan of activities

• Aircraft parking and starting

• Taxi procedures

• Radio Communications

• Takeoff procedures

• Aviation activities to be conducted during the filming production event

• Approach and landing procedures

• Recall procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Risks to participating personnel

• How to control nonparticipating persons

I. Communications

Prior to the start of any operation covered by this manual, the pilot in command will formulate 

a plan to provide communications capability to all participants during the actual operation and 

filming. Oral, visual or radio communications may be used as long as it is effective and is 

capable of keeping the participants continuously appraised of the current status of the 

operation.
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J. Accident Notification

Should an accident or incident requiring notification of the NTSB occur, the notification 

requirements of FAR Part 830 would comply.

K. Recall/Stop Procedures

Radio communication, oral, visual or a combination will be utilized to keep the participants 

continuously apprised of the current status of operation.

L. Special Provisions

The controls, procedures, and conditions set forth in the petitioner’s motion picture and 

television operations manual is the primary assurance that persons on the surface will not be 

jeopardized.

The aircraft and pilots used under this authorization and/or waiver will only be those specified in 

the petitioner’s motion picture and television operations manual or associated plan of activities. 

Each pilot’s name and certificate number shall appear on each daily plan of activity. All civil 

aircraft and pilot(s) participating in the activity shall be available for FAA inspection before the 

scheduled event.

Each pilot-in-command conducting operations authorized under this certificate understands 

the conditions of issuance, and that it constitutes a waiver of FAR 91.119 (b) and (c).

Rotorcraft takeoff and landing areas will be protected in a manner that will prevent 

unauthorized persons from entering the takeoff and landing area.

The petitioner will ensure that the participating persons involved in the operations are 

thoroughly briefed on special procedures, communication, emergency procedures, and on 

the provisions of the authorization and/or waiver before beginning the activities. No 

person may participate in any event unless that person has received a briefing on the 

provisions of the waiver.

2. Company Organization

A. Chief Pilot

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Final word in the formulation of policy and procedures concerning this manual.

• Act as liaison between the petitioner and the FAA on matter concerning this manual.

• Assure that each approved pilot is issued a copy of this manual and obtain a signed 
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statement from each that they have read and understand its contents.

• Maintain a current copy of this manual at the main base of operations for the petitioner.

• Responsible for assuring that all revisions to this manual are distributed and processed 

properly.

• Must approve or disapprove each proposed job or operation performed by the petitioner 

under the provisions of this manual.

• Assume the responsibilities of pilot in command when acting as such.

• The chief pilot may delegate functions to other personnel but retains 

responsibility.

B. Pilot in Command

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assure that aircraft to be flown is in airworthy condition and all inspections and required 

maintenance have been performed as per appropriate FAR's.

• Acquire permission from the chief pilot before any operation under the provisions of this 

manual.

• Be very knowledgeable of the contents of this manual and abide by the procedures, policies 

and conditions contained herein.

• Coordinate with movie and television personnel to formulate plans, routes, locations, etc. 

with safety of all persons involved in the primary concern.

• Maintain their copy of this manual in current condition and have it on site at any job or 

operation requiring the waiver.

• The pilot in command may delegate functions to other personnel, but retains responsibility.
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Appendix A .1

List of Approved Pilots

Chief Pilot

Name: Sean Payne

Certificate Number: 2817676

Grade: Private

Medical Class/Date: Third / 11/26/2011

Contact Number: 973-583-2793

Appendix A .2

List of Approved sUAS

Make and Model

1. DJI Phantom 2

2. DJI Phantom 3

3. DJI Inspire 1

4. Freefly Alta
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Permission Acquisition Form

In signing this form, I am giving Sean Payne Permission to operate their aircraft/sUAS at less than 500 

feet from property, or in some jurisdiction in which I am responsible for or affiliated with, for the

purpose of film or television production.

Name: 

Title:

Basis of Authority to Grant Permission:

Location:

Date of Operation:

Signature ___________________________________________________________________________

Date ___________________________________________________________________________

Representative Receiving Permission
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